"My concern remains that off the back of actions like this, we could see retaliatory measures put in place by other major economies. That's in no-one's interests. Let's be clear," Mr Ciobo said last week.

Opposition Leader Bill Shorten said he hoped Mr Turnbull would get on the phone and "at least try" to secure an exemption for Australia.

Mr Shorten presented the issue as a litmus test for the US alliance.

"Australia and America have been allies in all sorts of adversity and conflict. I hope at times like this that all of our other friendship counts for something," he said.